BCCI sidelines Lalit Modi, keeps him out of meeting

IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi's powers are set to be curtailed considerably as the move to clip his wings gained momentum at an informal BCCI meeting in Dharamshala where the Board's top brass discussed the Kochi franchise ownership row.

After Modi's public spat with Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor on the matter turned into apolitical storm and an income tax nightmare for the IPL, the Board officials held an informal conclave in the picturesquehill-town of Dharamshala.

It assumes importance as it was the first meeting among the BCCI bigwigs after Modi's tweets on the identity of Kochistakeholders triggered off the furore.

Significantly Modi, who wields considerable power as the Indian Premier League chairman and commissioner, was kept out of the deliberation where the key members of the Governing Council generally assessed the fallout of the controversy and the Income Tax raids at IPL offices.

Keeping Modi out of the meeting is being seen as a snub to the high-flying IPL Commissioner. Many of the IPL Governing Council members were unanimous in the view that Modi should be downsized while some of his known detractors in the Board even pressed for his removal as Commissioner.

"It was an informal meeting where the governing council members discussed the issue. We are trying to get the views ofas many members as possible. No decision has been taken yet and we will continue to have meetings," a BCCI source told PTI.

For the record, BCCI spokesman Rajiv Shukla said that there was no meeting that took place.

"There was no meeting, we had just gone to watch the match. A formal meeting of the governing council will be heldafter the IPL," Shukla told reporters on his arrival from Dharamshala.

The source indicated that Modi's powers as commissioner would be most probably curbed when the IPL governing council meets immediately after the third edition of the event ends on April 25.

Modi's detractors in the BCCI are pressing for his head as they feel he has brought the IPL under media glare for allthe wrong reasons but as of now, it appears that he would continue in the post till his term ends in 2012.

"As of now it seems he will remain in the post but definitely his powers would be curbed and he will not beallowed to take decisions unilaterally," the source said.